19-day China Buddhist Tour

Worship the most holy sites and destinations in China with us! Step closer to China Buddhism; try to understand the faith, and the unique related activities there. If you are a believer, just take a pilgrim along the way and enjoy the spectacular scenery and profound culture in this land.

Day 2 Beijing

After breakfast at your hotel, meet the guide and start today's city tour from the Temple of Heaven Park, which is a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation. Lunch will be taken at a local Chinese restaurant.

In the afternoon, walk through the Tian'anmen Square which is the largest city square in the world, and visit the Forbidden City. It is the largest imperial palace in Cina for 24 emperors' reign during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years. In the evening, enjoy a famous Peking Duck Banquet for dinner.

Day 3 Beijing

Activities for today: Mutianyu Great Wall, Lama Temple

Today you will travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the capital to the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall. We've arranged for you to ascend to the site by cable car so you can conserve your time and energy to explore along the wall. Although sections can be steep, the views from this ancient structure are magnificent and the experience of actually walking atop the Great Wall is truly unforgettable.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the cloisonné Factory where you will see the traditional Beijing cultural art. After that, drive back to the city and see the iconic venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics – the Birds Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. Today's tour ends at the Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple). It is a temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in the northeastern part of Beijing. The building and the artworks of the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Day 4 Beijing / Datong

Transfer via: train - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Summer Palace, Hutongs

Morning meet the guide and drive to visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China with a history of over 800 years. Followed to take a 3-wheel rickshaw to visit Hutong. Hutong is the unique street design in Beijing - some crisscrossing old narrow paths with courtyard houses built on each side. It can be regarded as a window into Beijing folk life.

In the afternoon, transfer to Beijing West Railway station and take an afternoon train to Datong.
Arrival in Datong, you will be met and transfer to the hotel.

Day 5 Datong

Activities for today: Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple

Morning meet the guide and drive to explore Yungang Grottoes. It is one of the three major cave clusters in China and a relic of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). Absorbing Indian Gandhara Buddhist art, Yungang sculptures developed traditional Chinese art melded with social features of the time.

In the afternoon, visit the Huayan Temple. The temple is the largest and best preserved monastery of the Liao Dynasty in existence in China. It was built according to the Huayan Sutra Sect of the Huayan School and is unique in that it faces east instead of south.

Day 6 Datong / Wutai Mountain

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Hanging Temple

Morning drive about 1.5 hours to visit the Hanging Temple at Heng Mountain. It was said to be built by a monk named Liao Ran in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It has a history of more than 1,400 years. After many times of repairs, the Hanging Temple had a large scale, and became a rare high altitude building in China, known as a high building on cliff.

After lunch, proceed drive to Wutai Mountain. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 7 Wutai Mountain / Pingyao

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Wutai Mountain

Morning you will explore Wutai Mountain with the guide. It has the longest and most prestigious history in the four well-known Buddhist Mountains. The mountain is the dwelling place of Manjusri Bodhisattva.

In the afternoon, drive to Pingyao via Taiyuan. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 8 Pingyao / Xi'an

Transfer via: overnight train - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Qiao Family Courtyard House, Pingyao ancient town

In the morning, drive to visit Qiao Family Courtyard which is a masterpiece of folk architecture in North China.

After lunch, explore Pingyao Ancient Town including the Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop - the first money exchange shop in China as well as the founder of Chinese modern banks, Traditional Ming-Qing Street, Old City Wall. It is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in China. In 1986, the State Council proclaimed Pingyao as a historical and cultural site. Also, it was listed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Day 9 Xi'an

Arrival in Xi'an in the early morning, you will be met by the local guide and transfer to the hotel (check-in if room available). After a short rest, drive to visit the Shaanxi History Museum, which is one impressive museum housing more than 370,000 pieces of historical relics.

In the afternoon, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park (excludes climbing the pagoda). The pagoda is the city emblem, which was first built in Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang. Today's tour ends at the Bell Tower. The tower is a stately traditional building, that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital.

Day 10 Xi'an / Chengdu

Transfer via: domestic flight - on our arrangement

Activities for today: Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive to visit the Xi'an Daqin Terra-Cotta & Lacquer Furniture Art Factory. In the factory, you can see the process of how to make Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Continue drive to visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20 th century; an army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb since 2200 year ago.

In the afternoon, drive to the airport for the afternoon flight to Chengdu.
Arrival in Chengdu, you will be met by the local guide and transfer to the hotel check in. Free at leisure in the evening.

Day 11 Chengdu / Leshan / Emei Mountain

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Leshan Giant Buddha

After breakfast, drive to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. The 71m-high Giant Buddha is qualified as the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world. It was constructed during 713-803 AD during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. It was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1996.

After tour, drive to Mt. Emei, check into hotel at the foot of the mountain. Overnight at Emei Moutain.

Day 12 Emei Mountain / Chengdu

Transfer via: private vehicle

Activities for today: Emei Mountain

Today guide tour to visit Mt. Emei. First you will take a tourist bus for about 25 minutes to the parking lot of Wannian Temple, take the cable car up, visit Wannian Temple, walk through Qingyin Pavilion - the biggest natural ecology reserve area for monkeys, till you get to Wuxiangang parking lot to take the tourist bus down to the foot of the mountain.

Day 14 Hangzhou

Today city tour to visit the West Lake. It is the symbol of Hangzhou. And the islets and temples, pavilions and gardens, causeways and arched bridges of this jade-like lake have constituted the supreme example of lakeside beauty in China. You will take a short boat on the lake.

Followed by a visit to the Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak. Lingyin Temple is one of the most prestigious Buddhist monasteries in China, while the Feilai Peak stands by Lingyin Temple with a collection of more than 470 Buddhist carvings dating back to 1000 years ago. Today's trip ends at a Dragon Well Tea Plantation. Drive to your hotel and free at leisure.

Day 15 Hangzhou / Ningbo / Putuo Mountain

In the morning, drive to the railway station and take an express train to Ningbo.

Arrival in Ningbo, you will be met by the local guide and visit the King Asoka Temple. After tour, take a cruise to Putuo Mountain. It is one of the four Buddhist shrines in the country and it noted for its rough terrain and exquisite landscape. Sailing near, one can see verdant trees, strange rocks, mysterious temples, and huge inscriptions carved on stones. The mountain also has a stretching beach and a lot of caves, surrounded by floating clouds. Stay overnight on Putuo Mountain.

Day 16 Putuo Mountain / Shanghai

Transfer via: Cruise - arranged by Trip China Guide

Guide tour to explore the temples at Putuo Mountain. Its first temple is called Guanyin Temple, built in 863 AD. The island cape is encircled by numerous protruding reps and deep hidden grottoes. Putuo Mountain is not only a sacred place of Buddhism -- "Buddhist Land of South Sea", but also an ideal summer resort. It has a mild climate, intriguing surroundings and unique scenery. The three famous temples are Puji Temple, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple, which are the three largest ones among the 20-odd existing well-preserved temples nationwide.

In the later afternoon, take an afternoon cruise to Shanghai. Arrival in Shanghai, you will be met and transfer to the hotel.

Day 17 Shanghai

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and full day guide tour to visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower where has best viewing spot of Shanghai located by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high. Followed by a visit to the Yu Garden. The garden used to be a private garden with 400 years' history; it features traditional architectural style of Yangtze Delta.

After that, have a free walk on the nearby Old Street and transfer to visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Free at leisure on the Bund and Nanjing Road.

Recommended evening activity: Acrobatic Night Show.

Day 18 Shanghai

Activities for today: Zhujiajiao Water Town

After breakfast at the hotel, meet the guide and drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town to see the traditional life at Yangtze River Delta. You will take a short boat on the Water Town.

After lunch, drive to the city and pay a visit to the Jiangnan Silk Workshop, and drive back to your hotel for free exploration.

Day 19 Shanghai departure

Our proven travel packages have been carefully chosen to include the most popular or unique destinations and tourist attractions in China. However, as local conditions and our clients requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your travel consultants you may modify the itinerary to give a truly unique experience!

Price Includes

Private Transfers:

Between airports / railway station, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the cities specified in the itinerary by the private air conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.

Entrance fees:

All entrance fees to scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TripChinaGuide. TCG will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.

Meals:

All meals as specified in the itinerary. “B” stands for western breakfast “L” for Chinese Lunch in local Chinese restaurant. “D” for Chinese dinner in local Chinese restaurant. The quotation is basic on the above normal meals. If you have any special request about meals, like vegetarian, or Indian food etc, please inform us in advance.

Private tour escort for Sightseeing:

Normal sightseeing activities as outlined in the Itinerary will be escorted with English-speaking guide.

The English-speaking guide and driver of each city accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.

Accommodation (if include Yangtze Cruiser):

Service based on two adults sharing on one standard twin/double-bed room (cabin); solo travelers or those who want to occupy one twin/double-bed room/cabin of their own are required to pay additional charge of single supplement rate. A single room (cabin) is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar class one.

All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.

Transportation:

All the domestic airfare of economy class with airport tax/ or train ticket(s) as specified in the itinerary.

Service Charge & Government Taxes

Arrangements:

The tour cost includes the planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Price Excludes

Entry or Exit China International Airfare or train tickets, unless other wise noted.

Any meals which are not specified in the itinerary with “B”, “L” or “D”.

Any extra cost caused by changes of natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TripChinaGuide and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.